CertainTeed vs GAF
Two good shingles. One right for you.
When to choose CertainTeed Landmark.
- You want the heaviest architectural shingle in its class for that thicker, more substantial look on the roof.
- You prefer transparent, well-documented warranty terms (StreakFighter and the standard 10-year defect coverage).
- Your contractor is a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster for the extended workmanship coverage.
- You want the widest color variety in a refined two-palette system (Heritage colors and Designer collections).
- You buy through ABC Supply or other CertainTeed-loyal distributors.
When to choose GAF Timberline HDZ.
- You want WindProven unlimited wind coverage when installed as a full GAF system (no maximum wind speed cap).
- You want StainGuard Plus, with copper-infused granules and a 25-year algae warranty (longer than Landmark's StreakFighter baseline).
- Your contractor is GAF Master Elite for the Golden Pledge lifetime workmanship warranty.
- You want the StrikeZone nailing area for faster, more forgiving installs.
- Home Depot is closer than a CertainTeed distributor and you are sourcing materials locally.
The numbers, side by side.
| Category | CertainTeed Landmark | GAF Timberline HDZ |
|---|---|---|
| Material cost / square | $135-145 Slightly higher than HDZ at retail | $132-140 Home Depot retail Within $3-5 per square at retail |
| Weight per square | 230 lbs Dual-layer laminate construction | 240 lbs LayerLock laminated build HDZ heavier by 10 lbs/sq |
| Wind rating | 110 mph (base) / 130 mph upgrade Needs CertainTeed starter and ridge for upgrade | 130 mph WindProven unlimited with full GAF system HDZ stronger base + unlimited warranty option |
| Hail / impact | Class 3 UL 2218 | Class 3 UL 2218 Tie |
| Fire rating | Class A ASTM E108 | Class A ASTM E108 Tie |
| Material warranty | Lifetime limited Pro-rated after year 10 | Lifetime limited Pro-rated after year 10, extends with Master Elite Both lifetime; HDZ extends to non-prorated 50yr with Master Elite install |
| Algae warranty | 10 yrs StreakFighter Upgrades to 15 yrs with Heritage colors | 25 yrs StainGuard Plus Copper-infused granules HDZ wins; 2.5x the algae coverage |
| Color count | 24 Heritage + Designer collections | 33 HD + Bold Definition + regional HDZ wider palette |
Try them on your house.
Both are pre-loaded in the visualizer. Upload a photo, pick the one that fits the way your house sits in the sun.
Try CertainTeed Landmark on your house.
Opens the visualizer pre-loaded with CertainTeed Landmark in Moire Black. Swap colors freely once it loads.
Open visualizer →Try GAF Timberline HDZ on your house.
Opens the visualizer pre-loaded with GAF Timberline HDZ in Charcoal. Swap colors freely once it loads.
Open visualizer →A pro installer takes both apart.
Common questions.
The questions People Also Ask on Google for this comparison, answered without sales spin.
Landmark is heavier (230 lbs/sq vs 240 lbs/sq for HDZ) but HDZ's LayerLock laminate is the more aggressive bonding mechanism. In practice, both routinely last 25 to 35 years when installed correctly with proper ventilation.
Both have lifetime-limited material warranties. HDZ's algae coverage is significantly longer (25 years vs 10 years for Landmark's base StreakFighter). For workmanship, both rely on the contractor's certification level (CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster vs GAF Master Elite).
GAF Timberline HDZ. The WindProven Limited Wind Warranty has no maximum wind speed cap when installed with four required GAF accessories. Florida installers in hurricane zones tend to slightly prefer HDZ for this reason.
HDZ at 240 lbs/sq is slightly heavier than Landmark at 230 lbs/sq. The difference is hard to see by eye but does affect installation labor and underlayment spec on lower-pitched roofs.
GAF Timberline HDZ has 33 colors across HD and Bold Definition collections versus Landmark's 24. CertainTeed organizes its colors into a tighter two-palette system (Heritage and Designer) which is easier to navigate but offers fewer choices.
HDZ is generally faster to install thanks to the wide StrikeZone nailing area. Crews report ~30 percent faster installs on HDZ. Landmark's heavier construction takes slightly longer to set.